Spay Day to help pet overpopulation

For small cost, owners can have pets spayed, neutered.

For small cost, owners can have pets spayed, neutered.

October 07, 2006|ADRIENNE RUFFNER Tribune Staff Writer

GRANGER -- With 120 cats and 25 dogs in residence, Mishawaka's Pet Refuge is crowded, and as winter approaches, the overpopulation problem most likely will get worse. "We get lots of calls on new kittens and strays this time of year," said Bonnie Richardson, vice president of Pet Refuge Inc., an animal shelter. Year after year, experts urge owners to have their animals spayed or neutered, but each year, shelters still overflow with homeless cats and dogs. To counter the problem, Pet Refuge and Kryder Veterinary Clinic in Granger will host Spay Day on Oct. 15, in which owners can have their pets spayed or neutered for a low cost. "I think a lot of people don't get their pets spayed because of the cost," said Richardson. "It can be hard for people who need financial assistance." Part of Spay Day's mission is to make the operation more affordable, she said. For cats, it will cost $5, and for dogs, it will cost $10. "The operation cuts down on pets roaming the streets, and it's healthier for them, too," said Lori Wharton, a registered veterinary technician at Kryder. "It cuts down on mammary tumors in females and testicular tumors in males." Wharton said three or four veterinarians will be on hand to perform the Spay Day surgeries. Each operation takes about 20 minutes, and the pets recover in a few hours. Volunteers from Pet Refuge assist in caring for the pets. The event will be the second Spay Day this year. On Feb. 12, Pet Refuge and Kryder held the first Spay Day as a part of Spay Day USA, a national movement urging owners to have their pets spayed or neutered. Richardson said 73 cats and 24 dogs were part of the first Spay Day. This time around, organizers hope to have 100 cats and 30 dogs at the event. Wharton said she hopes the event will push pet owners who "just haven't gotten around" to having their pet spayed. "We've tried to make it convenient for people to drop off and pick up their pets, so everyone can filter in easily," she said. Staff writer Adrienne Ruffner: aruffner@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6558